“That’s nice of them.” Allison’s dimples deepened as her lips curved into a small smile.
“Mommy, I’m thirsty.” The woman’s young daughter tugged on Allison’s hand. “Can we go get something to drink?”
“That’s a good idea, actually,” Ro agreed. “I could really use a cup of coffee about now.”
“Same.” Megan nodded emphatically.
To Natalia, Raegan asked, “You want to come with us to the cafeteria?”
A hefty dose of caffeine was exactly what she needed. But as she opened her mouth to accept the invitation, Kerrigan returned to the waiting room.
“Okay, so I spoke to the doctor treating Jagger. When he arrived at the hospital, he was going in and out of consciousness. They gave him some meds to help keep him comfortable while conducting several tests. Thankfully, the CT scan came back clear of any fractures or other serious injuries. All he needed was a few stitches at his hairline and some rest. So for now, they’re simply monitoring him while the medicine helps him sleep.”
“So he’s going to be okay?” Natalia needed to hear the words.
“Yes.” Kerrigan’s nod came with a healthy sigh of relief.
Thank you, God.
Those in attendance shared their own versions of thanks, all beyond relieved to hear the good news.
“Can we see him?” she asked the helpful doctor from Chicago.
“I got him to agree to let a couple of you come back.” Kerrigan looked to the group as a whole. “But only for a few minutes, and it has to be one at a time. I’m sorry. It was the best I could do.”
Pick me! Pick me! I want to go see him!
Natalia’s hand itched to shoot into the air and start waving, but she remained silent, feeling as if she’d be out of place if she asked to be the first.
“I’ll go.” Christian was first to jump at the chance.
It was only fair, given he was Jagger’s team leader.
But Kerrigan chimed back in with a surprising, “Actually, I think Natalia should go first.” When the group looked her way, she gave an unexpected explanation. “When I spoke to Jagger’s doctor, he told me Jagger kept asking for someone named Talia.”
Her heart nearly stopped. “He…did?”
The other woman nodded her head with a grin. “Apparently, your name is the only thing he’s said. So I think you should be the one to go first.” To Christian, she added a hurried, “Of course, that’s just my opinion, so…” Kerrigan let her voice trail.
“Okay, then.” Christian appeared to agree. To Natalia, he said, “Looks like you’re up.”
Natalia didn’t ask if he was sure or hesitate in the least. She’d known these guys long enough to know if they had a problem with her going to Jagger’s room, they’d say so.
“Lead the way.” She motioned to Kerrigan, who promptly turned and headed back out into the hall.
As she passed by Ryker, Natalia couldn’t help but smile when he muttered a teasing, “So much for needing me and my influence.”
“Don’t worry, boss.” She put a friendly hand to his upper arm. “I appreciate you all the same.”
Minutes later, she was standing by Jagger’s hospital bed with his limp hand resting securely in hers. The blood and dirt had been cleaned from his handsome, slightly pale face. A white, rectangular bandage covered the part of his forehead that had been stitched.
“I’m going to find the person who did this,” she whispered, leaning down to press her lips to his. “I promise you, I will.”
She pulled the superbly uncomfortable plastic chair up to the bed and sat beside him, never letting go of his hand until she was told by hospital staff that it was time for her to leave. Knowing the others were waiting to come see their friend, she didn’t put up a fight.
Rather than argue or try to persuade the nurse to let her stay longer, Natalia waited until the other woman wasn’t looking to go in for another quick kiss. She rose from the chair and gently placed Jagger’s hand onto the mattress next to his blanketedthigh. Her heart ached from the fear of knowing he came so close to dying and was beyond thankful he was going to be okay.
Three years ago, an explosion stole the life of her best friend. Hours ago, another bomb nearly killed the man she already half-loved. Both times, she’d been directly involved. First, as the team leader, and now?—
